McConnell: It's still too early to talk about gun control

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said it is too soon to discuss gun control legislation in the aftermath of the deadly shooting in Las Vegas and said the chamber will focus on tax reform while the probe continues into the incident.

"The investigation has not even been completed," McConnell, R-Ky., told reporters who asked him Tuesday about the push by Democrats to bring up new gun control measures. "I think it's premature to be discussing legislative solutions, if there are any."

McConnell said it is "particularly inappropriate to politicize events like this," so soon after the shooting, or to propose legislation. Democrats are pushing for immediate consideration of gun control legislation, including a ban on "bump stocks," which were used by the shooter to accelerate firing on two of his guns.

McConnell didn't rule out future discussions about gun control.

"We are in the middle of the investigation," McConnell said. "We will see what that reveals and at the end of that it will be an appropriate time to discuss it."

McConnell said senators are now focused on tax reform and passing a budget out of committee this week followed by floor consideration in the third week of October.